Yes, you can use membership with SQL Express. I think you do not have your Roles configured correctly in web.config. The error indicates it's trying to create the database, but the database should already exist if you are trying to add a role to a user.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.